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Facial reconstructions: the intersection of art and forensic science

Sculptors reconstruct

When DNA testing, dental samples and other methods of identifying human remains have proven unsuccessful, where can forensic investigators turn next? How can they try to solve a case that’s gone completely cold?

Since 2015, there’s been an incredible intersection of science, technology and art happening at the New York Academy of Art, where sculptors, led by facial reconstructionist Joe Mullins, are reconstructing the faces of unidentified missing persons. Taking 3D-printed replicas of the real skulls, the sculptors reconstruct what these people looked like so that their faces can be shown to the public for potential clues as to who they were.

In 2020, the New York Academy of Art and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police partnered to reconstruct busts of 15 unidentified human remains discovered in Canada. And the goal was to unlock the mystery of who they were and bring certainty to families and loved ones who might be seeking closure.

Once the artists finished their sculptures, the faces were scanned using FARO 3D laser scanning technology. The digital data was then rendered into 3D models — which you can view below — allowing more people across the world to access these reconstructions. When reconstructions are more sharable it increases the chance someone will be able to provide a clue that unlocks the case.

A powerful tool for investigators, 3D laser scanning is much less invasive than traditional methods. Plus, the 3D scans can be archived, shared, revisited in a virtual environment and even 3D printed to avoid damaging the physical evidence.

In the last five years that this project has been running, six visual identifications have been directly attributed to the busts that the sculptors created — two of those being from the RCMP’s most recent group of 15 facial reconstructions.

Every missing person deserves to have their story told — and FARO is proud to have collaborated on this project with RCMP and New York Academy of Art.

Click here read more about this story in the RCMP’s press release. You can view the 3D renderings of the facial reconstructions below. Finally, you can explore these and other cases on the Canada’s Missing website.

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